Introduction Days
In your first days in Gothenburg, there will be lots to do and absorb. This page provides information about activities for newly arrived students that are held at the start of the semester. The University Welcome Programme, social activities arranged by student buddies and student associations. There is also quite a lot of administrative tasks you need to take care of as a new student.
Welcome Programme
The International Student Welcome Programme is held at the beginning of each semester. The programme of events and activities provides international students with practical information about the University and living in Gothenburg. It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other international students and Student Buddies from all over the world.
We officially welcome you to the University of Gothenburg. You will be able to ask the presenters questions via the Q&A feature in Zoom.
Programme:
- Welcome Speech
- Student Portal and University e-services
- Servicecenter and the GU card
- Studies at the University of Gothenburg
- Student health care provider Feelgood introduces their services
- Student unions, what are they and why are they so important
- Mecenat followed by Welcome Services
- Swedish language courses
- University Library
Autumn semester 2023
Watch the recording here:
Welcome Day
or click the link: https://play.gu.se/media/Welcome+Day+autumn+2023/0_n094ufjf
Spring semester 2023
Date will be posted later in the autumn
Arrival Days
During the Arrival Days you will be dropped off at Studenternas Hus (Götabergsgatan 17), where you can pick up your Welcome Pack and chat with student buddies.
If you are an exchange student with a UGOT student housing contract or a contract from Welcome Services, you will receive your keys during the arrival days.
Dates for Arrival Days spring semester 2024 will be posted later in the autumn
This event takes place in the beautiful auditorium inside the University’s main building. There are no longer any classes taught there, but academic ceremonies and other special events are held there throughout the academic year.
During the day, we will tackle two main topics, starting with Swedish study culture. For this part of the programme, we hand the stage over to Oskar MacGregor, senior lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Skövde, and language advisors from our own Unit for Academic Language. Together they will shine a light on Swedish study culture, effective study techniques, academic writing in Sweden, and more. We are also pleased to be joined by current international students who will share their views and experiences.
The second topic is Living in Sweden. We are still in the process of signing on speakers for this part, but you can expect us to cover life on a student budget, life in Sweden with a focus on intercultural competence, and more. Of course, the current international students will be back on stage again to share their views and experiences.
You will be able to ask questions of the speakers and students after the presentations.
Spring semester 2024
Time and date will be posted later in the autumn.
At the Welcome Fair for new international students, student organisations, university support functions and other activity groups are present.
Joining a student organisation is a great way to meet new friends, get to know the city and settle in to your new student life in Gothenburg.
Time and date for spring 2024 will be posted later during the autumn.
Pick up your Welcome Pack
The Welcome Pack is a tote bag with content, handed out exclusively to international students. If you see anyone with one of these bags out in the city, you have probably just spotted another international student!
The contents includes a map of the city, a University of Gothenburg reflective slap wrap, a list of things to do while in Gothenburg, as well as various information about, for instance, public transport and recycling. Some of the information is available in digital form only, via a QR-code.
Autumn semester 2023
You can collect your Welcome Pack from one of the University’s Servicecenters during their regular opening hours.
Opening hours for Servicecenter
